MULTI-METALLIC IMAGE FOUR BEASTS NATIONS (Chapter 2) (Chapter 7) DESIGNATED. Head of Gold Lion Babylon. Arms of Silver Bear Medo-Persia

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1 Daniel 7 Wednesday, July 13, 2016 MULTI-METALLIC IMAGE FOUR BEASTS NATIONS (Chapter 2) (Chapter 7) DESIGNATED Head of Gold Lion Babylon Arms of Silver Bear Medo-Persia Sides of Brass Panther (leopard) Graeco-Macedonia Legs of Iron; Feet of Iron Composite Beast Rome and Clay There is a break and difference of emphasis between the first six chapters and the last six. They are both prophecy and history. The first six are prophecy with an emphasis on history and the second six are history with an emphasis on prophecy. We will see how the vision of Daniel (7) and the dream of Nebuchadnezzar (2) relate with one another. Daniel 7:1 (NKJV) 1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. Note there are visions mentioned here. Daniel sees the first three beasts in the first vision and the last beast in the second vision. Daniel 7:2 (NKJV) 2 Daniel spoke, saying, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. The Great Sea is the Mediterranean Sea. For Israel, for the Jewish people there is the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea and the Great Sea. Page 1 of 10

2 Normally the wind blows from one direction at a time. However, it seems more like a tornado is being described. Winds from every direction. This will be the rising of these empires. Daniel 7:3 4 (NKJV) 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man s heart was given to it. The lion with eagle s wings represents Babylon in particular. King Nebuchadnezzar is intended also, as verse 17 declares that the four beasts represent four kings. This lion had eagle s wings. These wings denote the ability that Babylon had of moving an army speedily, which has been the secret of any great world power down through history. Nebuchadnezzar had that ability. So did Alexander the Great, the Roman Caesars, and of course Napoleon. The coming in of the airplane was significant in World War I, and then World War II was won largely by air power. The one who can move the quickest with the greatest power will be the world ruler. The wings thereof were plucked evidently refers to the humbling of Nebuchadnezzar in his mental lapse and loss of identity. And made to stand on two feet like a man refers to Nebuchadnezzar s restoration. He became like a beast and acted like one, but his mind was restored, and he was brought back to sanity. A man s heart was given to it. I believe this refers to Nebuchadnezzar s conversion. I think he came to know the living and true God. Excavation of the city of Babylon reveals the glory that was once there. Among those ruins one can see a proud lion standing on a pedestal. The hanging gardens of Babylon were one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Nebuchadnezzar had married a girl from the hill country, but since Babylon was built down on a plain he built the hanging gardens for her so that she wouldn t be homesick. It was a thing of great beauty. There was also a great ziggurat evidently patterned after the Tower of Babel. At the top were altars on which were offered human sacrifices. The Babylonians Page 2 of 10

3 had a postal system second to none. They had interior bathtubs with brass plumbing. They were a literate people with a tremendous library there in the city. Around the city was a three hundred foot high wall, wide enough that four chariots could ride abreast upon it, and which protected the entire city very well. While the head of gold on the multi-metallic image represents the outward glory of this advanced civilization, the nature of the lion describes the brutal paganism of this kingdom which is clearly illustrated in chapters 2 and 3. Daniel 7:5 (NKJV) 5 And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: Arise, devour much flesh! The bear speaks of the Medo-Persian Empire, synonymous with the arms of silver in chapter 2, with an army of two and one-half million men. The three ribs speak of the three empires immediately devoured by the Medes and Persians: the Babylonians, the Egyptians, and the Lydians. Daniel 7:6 (NKJV) 6 After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. The leopard speaks of the Greeks and is synonymous with the belly of bronze in chapter 2. With only 35,000 troops, Alexander could strike quickly and was brilliant in strategy. The four heads represent the four generals who took over his empire after his death. Daniel 7:7 (NKJV) 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. The fourth beast speaks of the Roman Empire and is synonymous with the legs of iron in chapter 2. Out of it, we see ten horns, synonymous with the ten toes of Daniel 2. The horns and toes speak of a confederation of ten nations coming out of the old Roman Empire. Page 3 of 10

4 Daniel 7:8 (NKJV) 8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. The little horn is synonymous with Antichrist. Although there will be some kind of power struggle, he takes control of the ten-nation confederation. How? From a human perspective, he will be incredible. With the intellect of Thomas Jefferson, the leadership skills of Lincoln, the global strategy of Nixon, the oratorical skills of Churchill, the iron fist of Josef Stalin, the charisma of a Kennedy, he will be humanly impressive. In other words, when Antichrist shows up, he won t be wearing a black cape and twirling his mustache. He will draw people to him like a magnet. Seven of the nations will immediately say, Lead us. Three will resist initially, but they will be overtaken quickly. OK - NOW - BREXIT In the book of Revelation, the 17th chapter, we see a woman riding a scarlet beast. She is described earlier as a harlot. She is also described as being drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. It s a church, which is probably the same church mentioned in Revelation ch. 2. This is what the Lord said about that church - Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. AND then in ch.17 we see this horrible church. It s the one-world religion of the Tribulation Period. Most agree that it is the Catholic Church. Why? It s been seen in the middle ages putting to death everyone that would not convert. The pattern of the past comes alive in the tribulation. It s straight out of Rome. The resurgence of the Roman Empire Page 4 of 10

5 NOW BREXIT - Britain is Protestant, or has been Protestant at its core: Charles Spurgeon, Westley, William Booth, George Müller, Robert Murray M Cheyne (Scottish). Europe has a very heavy Catholic influence. Rome - Catholic. Germany will be interesting to watch. Now it has the bulk of the financial responsibility of the Euro, which it previously shared with the UK. But also it is split nearly evenly between Catholicism and Protestantism. Even today, though mostly non-churched, it has 30% Catholic and 28% Evangelical. So obviously Rome, Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Switzerland are all suspect of being seen in Daniel s vision. Today, there are 27 members of the EU. 10 of those who were part of the Roman Empire and, I suppose, who have or have had a heavy Catholic influence or will allow a heavy Catholic influence, will be the resurgence of the Roman Empire, or the empire of the Antichrist. The last part of v.8 speaks of someone with human wisdom, human eyes and speaks blasphemy. Just like the end of the statue of ch.2 which ended with a stone cut out of a mountain with no hands and comes crashing in and topples the whole statue, we now come to a change. Daniel 7:9 14 (NKJV) 9 I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; 10 A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened. 11 I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! Page 5 of 10

6 He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. So the scene shifts to heaven, and the throne of God is revealed. This is the same scene described in chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of Revelation. It is the preparation for the judgment of the Great Tribulation and the second coming of Christ to the earth. While God is setting the judgment scene in heaven to determine who will enter the kingdom, on earth the little horn is blaspheming and boasting the loudest (see Rev. 13:5 6). However, his judgment is fixed and his kingdom is doomed. The emphasis with this last kingdom, represented by the last strange beast, is not at its beginning here in Daniel but at its end. The appearance of the little horn is shortly before Christ comes to judge the living nations and individuals. This period equates the Great Tribulation Period. The Son of God in heaven has the authority to take the kingdoms of this world from the Gentiles and establish His kingdom. Jesus referred to this passage when He was put on oath at His trial before the Sanhedrin: Mark 14:61 62 (NKJV) 61. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Jesus said, I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. The angel prophesied at the time of His birth: Luke 1:32 (NKJV) 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. Therefore what we re looking at is a very clear-cut statement that the Lord Jesus is that stone cut out without hands which smites the image He will establish His kingdom here upon earth. Page 6 of 10

7 Daniel 7:15 18 (NKJV) 15 I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever. In chapter 2, we saw that Nebuchadnezzar s dream was of a huge image of a man with a head of gold, chest of silver, belly of bronze, and legs of iron. Man s perspective of world history and the governments that would come was stately, valuable, impressive. But here in chapter 7, we see God s perspective of those same empires. They re not gold, silver, bronze, and iron, but beasts. Daniel 7:19 22 (NKJV) 19 Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; 20 and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. 21 I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. Daniel says Ok, but let s go over that exceedingly dreadful beast, that last one. What in the world was that? Daniel 7:23 24 (NKJV) 23 Thus he said: The fourth beast shall be A fourth kingdom on earth, Which shall be different from all other kingdoms, And shall devour the whole earth, Trample it and break it in pieces. 24 The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings. Page 7 of 10

8 The fourth kingdom, or Rome, is the one from which the little horn, or Antichrist, will arise. Who are these saints? In Revelation 12, we see who Antichrist was against Revelation 12:13 14 (NKJV) 13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. This woman is different from the one that rides the beast. This woman represents Israel, who brought to the world the Messiah. Remember there are 144,000 Jews who are ambassadors for Christ, they are witnesses. What is a time, times, and half a time? A time speaks of one year; times speaks of two years. Thus, this is three and one-half years. At the midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation period, Antichrist will suddenly wage war against the Jews. When he first comes on the scene, he ll win the approval of the entire world. But, after three and one-half years, he ll show his true colors when he erects an image of himself in the temple and demands to be worshiped as God. God, however, will protect Israel by taking her to a place in the wilderness most likely the rock city of Petra. Revelation 13:7 (NKJV) 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. The Church already having been raptured, the saints mentioned here are the people of Israel as well as those Gentiles who will be saved during the Tribulation period. Daniel 7:25 (NKJV) 25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall Page 8 of 10

9 intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. Antichrist will be such a great orator that he will capture the imagination of the entire world. Daniel 7:26 27 (NKJV) 26 But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever. 27 Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him. This world leader, this little horn, this big-time power is going down. All dominions shall serve Him Jesus Christ. When will man understand this? Inscribed on the United Nations building in New York City are these words and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2:4 (b) The problem is, the first part of the verse is omitted And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people Isaiah 2:4 (a) They left out the fact that the Lord is the One who will bring peace. Man s attempts at government are beastly at best. What does a beast do? He angers easily. He guards his territory ferociously. He sheds blood callously. You never see a group of bears marching to save the rabbits. What beasts want, they go after. They take whatever they can get. And they expand their territory whenever possible. That s why God sees these empires as beasts. It s a Person, not a program that will bring peace. Man does not have the ability to rule himself. He s sinful and corrupt to the core. But the Ancient of Days is coming. And a kingdom that is right and beautiful, true and equitable will follow. Page 9 of 10

10 Daniel 7:28 (NKJV) 28 This is the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart. When he saw world history from God s perspective, Daniel was troubled. But he kept the matter in his heart. Page 10 of 10